HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2008.09.18MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by
Chairman Hesselgren at 7:00 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Hesselgren, Shanus, Castner-Paine, Carlton, La Mariana, Fisher
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Administrative Secretary
Butler, Recreation Supervisor Mutto
Others Present: Alifea Davis, 1075 Rollins Rd #207; John Eaton, 612 Concord
Way; Dorothea & George Chrisman, 1608 Devereaux; Sarah
O'Connor, 1556 Balboa Ave; Jeremy Dennis, 1616 Albemarle
Way; Donna Colson, 2616 Hale Drive; Brian Firenze, 1240 Oak
Grove; Chip Smith, 1557 Balboa Ave.
MINUTES - The Minutes of the August 21, 2008 regular meeting were approved as submitted.
PUBLIC COMMENTS — NONE
OLD BUSINESS —
A. Dogs Off -Leash at Washington & Cuernavaca Parks - Director Schwartz
reported to the Commission that City Council heard the issue and adopted the
ordinance to allow dogs off -leash. Staff will post permanent signs in the
designated areas. Some Council members have concerns regarding debris left by
dogs and others feel the debris is not from off -leash dogs alone. Another concern
was the issue of the areas not being fenced -in. Dogs could run out into the street
or persons walking by the area may not realize the area is designated for off -leash
hours. Staff will continue to research ideas regarding containment or better
visibility of designated areas. Schwartz also reported the receipt of about 20
emails to the City regarding the off -leash ordinance. Commissioner La Mariana
inquired about the request for the ordinance to include Ray Park that was made by
a citizen at a previous meeting. Chairperson Hesselgren responded that the
Commission wanted to wait until the Washington & Cuernavaca issue was
decided and then address other requests. Commissioner Castner-Paine asked if
there had been any incidents during the trial period. Schwartz reported that there
were none reported during the trial period. The issue of adding Ray Park to the
ordinance will be re -visited in the spring. The Police Department will patrol soon
after 7:30 am to enforce the rule. Please call the police if you see any violation.
Parks & Recreation Commission
September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 2
NEW BUSINESS
A. Reauest from Burlingame Girls Softball to Use Rav nark on Sundays for
Practices — Director Schwartz reminded the Commissioners that the issue of
Burlingame Girls Softball's (BGS) use of Ray Park for practices on Sundays was
heard by the Commission last December. The Commission denied BGS' request and
staff was able to find time for the girls on Sundays at both BHS and Bayside Park.
The item was brought to the Commission again since the district has allocated the
BHS softball fields to outside groups for the 2009 season and, for liability purposes,
denied BGS the use of the batting cage at BHS.
Donna Colson, President of BGS, gave the Commission a brief update on the BGS
program. For the 2009 season, BGS had requested 36 hours a week (approximately
10-6 PM for 10 Sundays and a few other pre -season dates) on the JV and Varsity
softball diamonds at BHS. (The SMUHSD has determined this is a `B" Class field
and will charge us $22.50 per hour, which will result in a cost to BGS of nearly
$5,000 for the 2009 season.) BGS is suggesting that the Commission approve the use
of Ray Park by BGS for eight Sundays as a practice field and make up game location.
This will help to mitigate some of the adverse impact that the SMUHSD user fees
have created for the group. Colson explained that the fees for the program have
undergone a large increase to cover the SMUHSD costs and other anticipated cost
increases. She also noted that the group puts about $5,000 a year into Ray Park in
maintenance of buildings, equipment and field improvements.
The Commissioners raised several concerns and questions to Ms. Colson.
Commissioner Fisher asked if BGS would be using all three fields at Ray on Sundays.
Colson responded that only two the fields were skinned. They are requesting to use
the two main fields and the grassy area for bunting and warm up activities.
Commissioner Shanus stated that last year BGS had use of Bayside and BHS. He
mentioned that BGS has worked the two fields together and pointed out that BGS still
has Sunday use of Bayside. Colson noted that Bayside is a smaller field (not large
enough for their age groups needs) and that the consistency of availability was
unreliable as BYBA uses the field on to make up rainout games on Sundays. She
stated that if BYBA were willing to give up the use of the field on Sundays
completely that would be a possible solution. Commissioner La Mariana recalled that
at the December meeting the neighbors complained that coaches were protective of
Ray Park as their "turf' and hoped that there has been a culture shift and the coaches
are better about not kicking kids off the grass area. Colson commented that the
coaches are very genial and she has seen no problems as such. She mentioned that
the group has assigned a volunteer to be "Captain of Dog Poo" to clean the park.
Shanus asked if the group has used Cuernavaca, as it is more softball friendly.
Colson stated that they would prefer Cuernavaca to Bayside however, Mercy High
School uses it during the week and BYBA uses it on Sundays. Supervisor Mutto
stated that BYBA uses Cuernavaca on Sundays.
Parks & Recreation Commission
September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 3
Chairperson Hesselgren opened the floor to public comments.
Chip Smith, 1557 Balboa Ave. is a neighbor to Ray Park. He has spoken to the
Commission over the years regarding issues at the park. He feels that given the
changes with SMUHSD there results a difficulty with fewer groups being able to use
school district fields. The non-profit groups will be cannibalizing the cities fields.
He received an email from a representative from the district that no one has been
denied access to district fields, they have chosen to go elsewhere. He has seen the
email that Colson received from SMUHSD that belays that comment. He would like
to request that other alternatives to Ray Park be kept alive between now and the next
meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission before a firm decision is made.
Sarah O'Connor, 1556 Balboa Ave. would like to see the Commission support the
neighbors. They are impacted all year long by the boys & girls. She looks forward to
Sundays, as they are quiet. She would like to see no scheduled activities on Sundays
for any groups. She would like the Commission & the Parks & Recreation
Department to have control of the coaches and groups.
Chairperson Hesselgren closed the session to public comments.
Commissioner Shanus inquired as to when the Billie Sue Tournament arrangement
vs. Sunday play was made. Schwartz responded that that agreement was made back
in the 80's. Shanus noted that one issue with the SMUHSD is the dismissal by the
district of all historical agreements that impacts the non-profit groups which have
traditionally used the fields.
Commissioner La Mariana stated that the situation has changed dramatically.
SMUHSD is in a financial crisis and the methodology; the one -side unilateral
decisions and a series of directives negate what to what used to be a partnership. He
holds no confidence that any steps in this process have been taken to support this
partnership. He does not have a problem with why the district is taking these actions
but with how the process affects the youth organizations. Under the circumstances,
eight Sundays are a reasonable request.
Hesselgren asked who else practices at Ray on Sundays. Mutto stated that no groups
other than BGS are scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays except a one -hour class given
by the Recreation Department on Saturday mornings. Mutto said BGS' request is just
for eight Sundays and the Fathers Day weekend tournament.
Shanus noted that he would like to see Cuernavaca used more as it is not fully
utilized. He would like to explore more on that front. BGS could use a field and
allocate Cuernavaca to BGS. Mutto stated that BYBA uses Cuernavaca Park on
Sundays for the older age groups.
Parks & Recreation Commission
September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 4
Hesselgren stated that the issue with the district has become astronomical. She
understands the neighbors' stand and voted against the request by BGS last year. She
would request a net be installed during batting practice to mitigate the noise. She
feels the new BGS leadership is much more accommodating than the previous
leadership. She noted that only in the last 12 years has the park gone from one field
to three with no increase in parking. She sees no other alternative with the fees and it
is important for the girls program to continue. She would like to see the field open
with contingencies.
Commissioner Carlton reminded the Commissioners that BGS has been told by the
SMUSD that they cannot have the fields even though they would pay the fees.
MOTION by La Mariana (seconded by Carlton): Because of the change in
conditions at the District, Commission approves the use of Ray Park for the 2008-
09 season by BGS for 8 Sundays from 10 am -6 pm with two contingencies: 1) Use
of a net on Ray 1 during batting practice, 2) Staff will work with user groups to
find space for the least impact on Ray Park. MOTION PASSED 5-1 (Shanus).
Shanus stated that his only objection with the motion was that Ray Park should only
be used as a last resort.
B. Booth for Burlingame Artists at 2009 Art in the Park - Shanus would like to
see a booth at the Art in the Park for local Burlingame school kids to display and
possibly sell their artwork. The thought is that the Youth Advisory Committee could
oversee the booth. Castner-Paine stated that young artists should be encouraged to
take themselves seriously. Shanus was unsure of how the selling of the items would
work but was willing to discuss ideas. Schwartz mentioned that allocating one booth
space for youth artists can be put into this years' Request for Proposal for the
vendors.
REPORTS/HANDOUTS
A. Staff Reports
1. Monthly Report
2. 2008-09 Revenue Report (see attached)
B. Commissioners
1. Commissioner Carlton asked what the outcome was on the Burlingame
businesses to receive resident rate on recreation activities item. Schwartz
replied that the item will be taken before Council at the October 6
meeting.
Parks & Recreation Commission
September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 5
2. Commissioner Fisher reported that he and Commissioner Carlton attended
the Storm Drain Meeting earlier that evening at which the Assistant
Director of Public Works did a presentation regarding the Measure on
Storm Drain Fee on the ballot in May. Fisher stated that the Assistant
Director would be happy to do the presentation for any community
organizations.
3. Commissioner Shanus reported that panels that were missing Bayside 3
scoreboard have been replaced.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission will be held on Thursday, October 16,
2008 at 7:00 pm in Conference Room "A" of Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
9:08 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joleen Butler
Administrative Secretary
Parks & Recreation Department